New point guard Cole leads KU women to victory

LAWRENCE — If there was any question about Angel Goodrich’s replacement at point guard for Kansas, it was answered in one minute.

Sophomore Lamaria Cole, in her first career start for the Jayhawks, drove to the basket, got bumped and scored a reverse layup.

"I was really fired up about it," Cole said. "My team had me fired up about it, too."

It was the kind of play Goodrich would make on a good day.

It didn’t end after that first minute either. Cole’s performance calmed any nerves Jayhawk fans and coach Bonnie Henrickson had about their point guard in KU’s 85-54 exhibition win against Pittsburg State.

"She has the speed and athleticism that we need in this league to be successful," Henrickson said.

It’s understandable why anyone was nervous about this team before the game. As a freshman last season, Cole only played in eight games for KU. She averaged 5.6 minutes in the games she did play.

Not only was Cole’s playing time limited last year, but she was also sporadic when she did play. In 45 total minutes, Cole had 17 turnovers and only seven assists.

On Wednesday, however, Cole finished with 12 points, 3 assists and 3 turnovers. All three turnovers came in the second half.

"She’s fast," Pittsburg State coach Lane Tord said of Cole after the game. "She took care of the ball very well, she took open jumpers and she found her teammates in transition."

"While waiting her turn, she developed discipline," Henrickson said.

Throughout the night, she pushed the pace for KU, driving through the lane and passing to her teammate or finishing with a layup in transition. With 25 seconds left in the first half, Cole showed off her athleticism on another reverse layup, finishing with her left hand.

Behind the Pittsburg State bench, a group of fans supported the Gorillas and Washburn Rural graduate Alexa Bordewick, who started at point guard. Bordewick, a senior, struggled, shooting 0 for 6 from the field and making one free throw for one point.

Bordewick’s parents and a number of friends and family made it to Allen Fieldhouse to watch Bordewick in her third and final game against KU.

As for KU, there were questions beyond the point guard spot for this upcoming season. Questions about Bunny Williams and Chelsea Gardner replacing Carolyn Davis’ size inside. Or how would Natalie Knight look after her season ending knee injury last year?

While Williams didn’t score, Gardner led the Jayhawks in scoring and rebounds with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Knight sported a hefty knee brace and is still getting back into game condition.

"We had the mismatch inside, which Chelsea took advantage of," Henrickson said.

While not every question was answered for KU, perhaps the biggest one, the point guard position, seemed to be just fine.

"(Henrickson) tells me all the time not to exceed my speed limit," Cole said. "So I can’t turn over the ball as much."

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